"follower of Dionysus"
Origin: Greek
Language: Greek
Dennis
Pronunciation: [ d-EHN-ihs ]
Does Dennis flow with your last name?
A saint's name that ruled mid-century America
English
French
German
Irish
Classic
Vintage
Traditional
Strong
Minimalist
Reviewed by the NamingEverything Editorial Team · Updated
Share
Similar Names
Names Like Dennis
Same sound, same style — different options
Nicknames
Nicknames for Dennis
2 shorthand options for every setting
Meaning & Origin
"of Dionysos, god of wine"
Origin: Latin via Greek
Language: English
Playground Safety
Kid-Friendly
Similar to Dennis
See all →What the Dennis report tells you
$9Personalized to your state, siblings, and priorities. Free playground safety preview included.
Is Dennis the #1 name in your state, or barely on the radar?
Enter your other kids' names. We score how well they sound together.
Downloadable PDF + nursery art
Everything in one printable report. Frame the name art.
Start with a free preview
Playground safety check is free. Full report is $9.
What do you want to do with this name?
Keep Dennis
Add it to your shortlist. Not losing this one.
Compare names
Put Dennis head-to-head with your other picks.
Start comparing →
Nickname ideas
See what Dennis actually gets called.
Browse nicknames →
What kind of baby name person are you?
3 minutes to find names that fit your style.
Take the Quiz
Things to Know About This Name
- Dennis the Menace association gives the name a mischievous, juvenile reputation in both US and UK versions
The Story of Dennis
Dennis derives from the medieval French Denys and Latin Dionysius, which traces back to the Greek god Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and theater. The name was borne by Saint Denis (Dionysius) of Paris, the first Bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, who was martyred around 250 AD. The name spread throughout medieval Europe through veneration of this saint.
Dennis was enormously popular in mid-20th century America, ranking in the top 20 boys names from the 1940s through the 1960s. Its decline began in the 1970s and has continued steadily. The Dennis the Menace comics (1951) created a lovable but troublemaking image that both boosted and complicated the name's legacy.
Saint Denis is the patron saint of France and his basilica near Paris is the burial place of French royalty. The name was embraced throughout medieval Christendom. In 20th-century America Dennis became associated with the postwar boom generation, carrying a wholesome, working-class dignity. In Britain the name is similarly connected to the mid-century generation.
Historical Record
Dennis first appeared in US Social Security records in 1950.
Over 416,811 babies have been named Dennis in the United States since SSA records began.
Today, Dennis is past its peak , currently ranked #708 for boy names in the US .
Fun Facts
- Saint Denis of Paris is venerated as the first Bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, martyred around 250 AD
- Dennis the Menace appeared simultaneously in the US and UK on March 12, 1951, as two completely independent comic strip creations
- Dennis Nilsen, Dennis Rodman, and Dennis Hopper show the name's range from notoriety to athleticism to artistic rebellion
Dennis in Other Languages
French
Denis
German
Denis
Italian
Dionigi
Spanish
Dionisio
Portuguese
Dinis
Popularity Over Time
#708
Current Rank
Peaked 1950
Based on SSA data 1880–present
Year-by-year popularity data will be available soon.
Famous People Named Dennis
D
Dennis Rodman
Athlete
1961
American NBA basketball star known for his extraordinary rebounding and flamboyant personality with the Chicago Bulls
D
Dennis Hopper
Actor
1936
American actor and director known for Easy Rider and Blue Velvet, an icon of counterculture cinema
D
Dennis the Menace Fictional
Other
Mischievous young boy protagonist of the long-running American comic strip by Hank Ketcham (1951)
Names You Might Also Love
See all →Quick Facts
- Gender
- Boy
- Syllables
- 2
- Popularity Rank
- #708
- Total SSA Count
- 376
- Cultural Origins
- English French German Irish
- Pronunciation
- Easy
- Formality
- Moderate
- Cross-Cultural Ease
- High
Alternative Spellings
Common Nicknames
Denny
Den
Middle Name Ideas
Suggested pairings based on syllable flow and style
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
-
Timeless choice, English heritage match, extended 2-3 combo
-
Timeless choice, smooth 2-2 syllable flow
Middle Names
Middle Names for Dennis
7 name pairings with syllable flow tips
Sibling Names
Sibling Match
Premium
Check how Dennis fits with existing sibling names — style, sound, and origin.
Enter sibling names above to see compatibility.
Also a Girl Name
Dennis is also used as a girl name, ranked #69703.
View Dennis as a girl name →Similar Names
See all names like Dennis →For Parents
amz
Start a baby registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
The Baby Name Wizard
Names that age well — book
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Compare Dennis with...
Same Origin Names (English)
See all English names →Names with Similar Meaning
Names that share meaning themes with Dennis
Can't decide?
Start a tournament bracket with Dennis and other names you're considering.
Start a TournamentLike this name?
Check how Dennis sounds with your surname and test for potential nicknames.
Analyze This NameExplore More Generators
-
🧝
Fantasy Name Generator
Create names for D&D and RPG characters
-
🐾
Pet Name Generator
Find the perfect name for your furry friend
-
🎭
Character Name Generator
Names for fictional characters across genres
Names You Might Also Like
View all →
Kyren
Boy
Irish Gaelic origin
"dark, dark-haired"
#814 in US
Pierce
Boy
Greek via Latin origin
"rock, stone"
#541 in US
Raylan
Boy
Old English ra + land origin
"from the roe deer land"
#717 in US
Matheo
Boy
Hebrew via Spanish origin
"gift of God"
#857 in US
Allen
Boy
Old German origin
"noble, bright"
#574 in US
Wayne
Boy
Old English origin
"wagon maker, cart driver"
#687 in US
Peyton
Boy
Old English origin
"Paega's settlement"
#659 in US
Kylan
Boy
Scottish Gaelic origin
"narrow strait"
#533 in US
Save Your Name Card
Download a shareable image with Dennis's meaning, origin, and popularity. Ready for Instagram, Pinterest, or texting to your partner.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dennis
What does the name Dennis mean?
"follower of Dionysus" (from Greek). "of Dionysos, god of wine" (from Latin via Greek). Dennis derives from the medieval French Denys and Latin Dionysius, which traces back to the Greek god Dionysus, the god of wine, fertility, and theater. The name was borne by Saint Denis (Dionysius) of Paris, the first Bishop of Paris and patron saint of France, who was martyred around 250 AD. The name spread throughout medieval Europe through veneration of this saint.
What is the origin of the name Dennis?
Dennis has Greek, Latin via Greek, English, French, German, and Irish origins. In Greek, it means "follower of Dionysus". In Latin via Greek, it means "of Dionysos, god of wine".
Is Dennis a boy or girl name?
Dennis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it is ranked #708. As a girl name, it is ranked #69703. Dennis is more commonly used as a boy name.
How do you pronounce Dennis?
Dennis is pronounced d-EHN-ihs.
How popular is the name Dennis?
Dennis is currently ranked #708 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
What are common nicknames for Dennis?
Common nicknames for Dennis include Denny and Den.
What are good middle names for Dennis?
Popular middle name pairings include Dennis James, Dennis Michael, Dennis Paul, Dennis Lee, Dennis Ray, Dennis Alan, and Dennis Patrick.
What are good sibling names for Dennis?
Names that pair well with Dennis as siblings include Kevin, Patrick, Karen, Sharon, Gary, Linda, and Ronald.
How many syllables does Dennis have?
Dennis has 2 syllables, making it easy to say and remember.
Is Dennis a common or rare name?
Dennis is moderately common, ranked #708 for boys in the US. You will encounter it, but it stands out.
What boy names are similar to Dennis?
Are there other spellings for Dennis?
Related spellings include Denny.
About the Name Dennis
Dennis is a boy name with English, French, German, and Irish origins . The name means "follower of Dionysus" in Greek .
Is Dennis a boy or girl name? Dennis is used as both a boy and girl name. As a boy name, it ranks #708 in popularity. As a girl name, it ranks #69,703. Dennis is more commonly used as a boy name.
Dennis is currently ranked #708 in popularity for boy names in the United States.
The name Dennis has 2 syllables and is pronounced d-EHN-ihs, making it easy to pronounce and remember.
Common nicknames for Dennis include Denny and Den. These shorter forms provide casual alternatives while keeping the elegance of the full name.
Alternative spellings of Dennis include Denny . Each spelling variation gives the name a slightly different character while preserving its sound and meaning.
Keep Exploring
Greek Names
Browse all names with this origin
D
Names Starting with D
More boy names like Dennis
Unique Names
Uncommon names with character
Name Personality Quiz
Find names that match your style
Name Swiper
Swipe through names, build a shortlist fast
Browse All Boy Names
Full list with filters and sorting
Recommended for Parents
amz
Start a registry
Free welcome box on Amazon
Baby Name Wizard
Names that actually age well
Nursery name sign
Personalized wooden letters
We may earn a commission from these links.
Sources
- U.S. Social Security Administration — National Baby Names Data (popularity rankings and historical trends)
- Behind the Name (etymology and meaning research)
- NamingEverything editorial research and analysis